The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has won the latest elections, while Jamaat-e-Islami shocked many by securing around 70 parliamentary seats. In New York's Jackson Heights, home to North America's largest Bangladeshi community, shops fill with smells of hilsa fish and khajur gurr as people react to the results. Abul Hassan, a local shopkeeper, said, "We are hoping that it will bring stability and prosperity to Bangladesh." The BNP victory was expected, especially after the Awami League was barred from running. Historian Taj Hashmi explained, "The BNP’s win was predictable... What’s surprising is that the Jamaat-e-Islami... has captured around 70 seats in the parliament." He noted that Jamaat’s rise reflects growing political Islam fueled by social issues and past repression under the previous government. Dr Mohammad Imran Hossain, a New York-based professor, said the BNP government could cautiously improve ties with Pakistan and balance relations with India, while dealing carefully with Jamaat’s parliamentary role. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the BNP and expressed willingness to work with the new government. The UN praised the peaceful election but noted challenges for women candidates. Washington analyst Michael Kugelman called the election a “significant step for democratisation.”